UK-based dealer broker ICAP has hired Jan de Smedt, formerly of S&P Dow Jones Indices, to fill the newly created role of global head of indices.

De Smedt is tasked with launching new indices linked to exchange-traded funds (ETFs), mutual funds and derivatives products. The firm recently launched four indices and has three more close to launch, according to a spokesperson.

Mark Beeston, chief executive of portfolio risk services, says the company has positioned its index business “to capitalise on forthcoming market and regulatory developments”. These changes include an expected rise in demand for ETFs, says a spokesperson.

Previously, De Smedt was senior director licensing and sales in the client coverage group for S&P Dow Jones Indices in London.

Just as innovation is driving rapid change in our lives, it is changing how we invest. Many investors are facing challenges because the traditional ways of sourcing alpha are no longer sufficient to help meet investment goals.

Roundtables & Panels

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Our panel tackles questions around appropriate benchmarks for multi-asset funds, and where these products sit in portfolios. First, though, what exactly is a multi-asset fund? It’s a very broad church, we are told.